US Charges Hamas Member and Americans for $1.7 Million Terror Fundraising

The U.S. Department of Justice announced indictments against a Hamas operative from Gaza and U.S. citizens accused of raising over $1.7 million for the terror organization. According to the indictment, more than $626,000 was collected from American donors under the false pretense of providing humanitarian aid, food, or winter supplies for families in Gaza. The fundraising operation, which began in January 2020, continued even after the October 7th Hamas attack and the ensuing war.

Among the accused are Salim Alzaq, a 45-year-old Gazan Hamas operative; brothers Abd and Omar Al-Adhami, aged 35 and 33, from Louisiana; and Raed Yousef, 56, from Florida. The U.S.-based defendants have been arrested. Prosecutors allege Alzaq ran the international fundraising campaign in the U.S. and France, with partners helping to transfer funds directly to Hamas in Gaza. The Al-Adhami brothers reportedly raised approximately $105,000, and Yousef allegedly helped raise nearly $50,000.

The Al-Adhami brothers face charges including material support for a terror organization, conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering. Yousef is charged with conspiracy, attempted material support for a terror organization, fraud, and money laundering, among other offenses. Alzaq, who remains in Gaza and has not been arrested, is charged in the U.S. with conspiracy, violating international economic emergency powers, money laundering conspiracy, terror support conspiracy, and fraud.

Alzaq's social media contained Hamas propaganda, including posts celebrating the October 7th attack. The indictment states that after the massacre, Alzaq launched a new fundraising campaign claiming to aid Gazans injured that day, which operated until October 12, 2023. Prosecutors contend Alzaq knew donations were going to Hamas, not civilians, and instructed fundraisers to avoid mentioning Hamas on social media to prevent account closures, as well as to refrain from posting "Free Palestine" or "Long live Hamas."

Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, "Anyone who funds or facilitates terror organizations responsible for the deaths of American citizens should expect to be prosecuted. We will continue to pursue terrorists, dismantle terror financing networks, and bring justice to the victims' families."